So the main reason for my previous post was a preamble to another long-winded one about personal habits, in particular my evening ritual. A recent episode of moderate to severe insomnia has resolved, but the fix is only temporary. I've been bargaining with myself to avoid some hard changes, and that must end.( Background, the problem, and what I plan to do )

The house has been pretty quiet lately. djjo has been busy long hours with a homework assignment for his spinning course. Due to a minor health issue, my tush is disinclined to be sat upon. Between time on my feet doing housework and cooking, I have been spending some quality time in bed with my smartphone. But the good excuse to relax has quickly ( Read more... )

Apparently the main reason I've been foundering lately has been lack of sleep. djjo and I decided to improve our sleeping habits, so several weeks ago we started setting the alarm for 7 a.m. That was easy, but trying to go to bed earlier was another matter. The immediate result, for me at least, was sleep deprivation. Consequently all the other good ( Read more... )

My exercise routine, that is. I can't say I've seen much physical progress, except my upper body looks a little less saggy ( Read more... )

Attempts to modify my routine continue to meet with resistance from the back benches. I know the reason: as already mentioned, I've been trying to change too many things at once. It's a familiar lesson. I should have known better. While any one of these goals on its own inspires enthusiasm, altogether they provoke rebellion and apathy. I am not ( Read more... )

Dreamt I was back at high school but it was different. We lived there. Instead of hallways it was laid out as a warren of classrooms and we slept in some of them. The rooms I saw didn't have much furniture except the cots we slept on. There were few students and about the same number of teachers. Mr. MacAdam and Mr. Wasylniuk (gym teachers) might ( Read more... )

This morning I got to work on time so I could leave at 4. I nibbled almonds and black grapes through the day so I didn't get too hungry or fatigued. After work I came home, exercised vigorously for half an hour and had a shower. Then I went went to my desk and opened the window so I could hear the sound of insects as thunderclouds pulled over the ( Read more... )

Some elements of routine come back more easily than others.

My mind still wants a holiday from daily writing, so today I had to come home and work like mad to produce something because tonight it's my turn get critiqued at Writers' Circle. I tackled a scene from Pilgrim's Cross, so that was good. Recently I began approaching it mostly as a first- ( Read more... )

Hunting for a new home has been consuming most of my spare energy. It's hard on one's patience. Places that sound promising (and even look good in photos) often turn out to be disappointing, or misrepresented. Last week I viewed two utterly disgusting slum properties going for the same monthly rent as new houses in the suburbs. Other places turn ( Read more... )

Just now as I was washing up the last few dishes from my long long weekend with Danny, I thought about how much of a difference I've experienced in this mundane but important aspect of my life.

In the past I consistently left dishes sitting at least a few days. Often some would sit for several weeks. I might clean the fridge out a few times a year ( Read more... )